Senior Lecturer in Forensic Biology

About Helen Page

Helen graduated from the University of York with a BSc Honours degree in Biology, and a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde. Before joining the University in October 2005, Helen worked at the Pirbright Institute, Surrey, in the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for Bluetongue virus (BTV), a viral disease in sheep. Her work focused upon the design, implementation and validation of a BTV specific PCR diagnostic test as well as heavy involvement in the quality assurance and control of the CRL.

Within the School of Science, Engineering and Design (SSED) at Teesside, Helen lectures in cell biology and immunology as well as forensic biology and DNA analysis at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Helen was the Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences degree and the BSc (Hons)Forensic Biology degree. In addition to this, Helen was a member of the workforce development team working with the Centre for Policing and the Metropolitan Police, and was Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree in Science in Forensic Practice (Fingerprint Identification). Helen is the current elected academic staff member for SSED on the University Academic Board and is the academic elected member on the Board of Governors.

In 2016, Helen was seconded to the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Team within Academic Registry working on a range of projects within the areas of group work assessment and feedback. She was also responsible for the Enhancement and Evaluation Fund and was co-author of the QAA Audit Self-Evaluation Document.

She is currently part of the 'Campus Science' team examining ways in which gamification can be used to develop interest in science across the campus population (www.tees.ac.uk/campus_science).

Helen is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. Helen has worked on the Higher Education Academy funded project: “A Marked Improvement: Transforming Assessment in Higher Education” as well as being a collaborative member of the Higher Education Academy, The Biochemical Society and the Heads of University Biosciences research entitled “The Status of Practical Work in UK Undergraduate Bioscience Degrees”.

Research interests and activities

Her research interests include the recovery of biological evidence from unusual samples. Helen has recently been examining the recovery of biological evidence from bathwater and personal cleaning implements. She is also working with a team of colleagues to examine the transfer and persistence of human and animal hairs within a forensic context.

Research projects & external funding

Helen has secured funding from the Royal Society of Biology to host a BioArt trolley at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art for Biology Week.

External roles and professional activities

Helen is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is a panellist/reviewer for their GTEA and NTFS awards. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, and a member of the Northern Branch committee.

External research collaborations

Helen has worked with Forensic Rescue Limited to examine the use of their patented Evidence Recovery System (ERS) for the recovery of trace biological evidence.

Learning and teaching interests

Helen is interested in student engagement and how different strategies can be used to improve the student experience and subsequent student performance. She has previously examined how engagement with the wider academic research arena can build confidence in students and provide CV enhancing opportunities. Currently she is looking at ways to develop and implement the use of technology to enhance laboratory learning and build student confidence in basic laboratory skills.

Enterprise interest and activities

Helen is interested in collaborating with companies through workforce development. She is interested in developing both accredited and non-accredited programmes, working with companies to produce assessments which are relevant and fit-for-purpose for your own workforce.

Ludwig, A. and Page, H., (2012) ‘An investigation into the dynamics of lip prints as a means of identification’. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences.1-13. iFirst article.http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00450618.2011.630413

In the news

Teesside University students put memory to the test in world record attemptLove Middlesbrough (Web), 15/10/2012
Dozens of Teesside University students are hoping to get their names in the record books by taking part in the worlds biggest memory game. At 2.30pm on Friday 19 October, students will contribute to t

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